Literacy Concentration

Dr. Kathleen M. Collins
Dr. Nancy Farnan

The Literacy Concentration of USD-SDSU's Joint Doctoral Program is designed for professionals in the field of education who want to affect policy and develop a scholarly approach to literacy instruction. The program prepares participants to analyze, synthesize, and conduct research that contributes to our understanding of language and communicative processes. To this end, students have the opportunity to take a variety of courses on literacy theory, current literacy research, and qualitative and quantitative research methodologies. Additionally, students are encouraged to draw on the expertise and mentoring capacities of USD and SDSU literacy faculty through fellowship, research, and independent study opportunities.

The program takes a broad view on "literacy," and emphasizes the role(s) of multiple modes of communication in shaping meaning-making. Working from the notion that cognition is mediated by semiotic tools (symbols) which are shared by members of a community, students in the program explore sociolinguistic, psychological, cultural, and political dimensions of literacy and literacy education. Students in this program are particularly well-prepared to conduct literacy research that seeks to identify and address issues of educational equity, linguistic and cognitive diversity, and social justice as they relate to literacy instruction.

Applicants to the Literacy Concentration should have depth of professional knowledge and experience in literacy education, including but not limited to (1) a master's degree in literacy or a closely related field, (2) a minimum of four years teaching experience in Grades k-12, and (3) evidence of participation in professional organizations.

Professional Links
American Educational Research Association (AERA)
http://aera.net
AERA has over 23,000 members whose areas of interest and expertise span diverse disciplines related to education, such as psychology, history, philosophy, and political science. AERA hosts an international conference that brings together educational researchers from around the world. Its publications are highly respected and represent one of the best sources of current educational research available.

International Reading Association (IRA)
http://www.reading.org
The International Reading Association has over 350,000 members worldwide. Go to this site to find the latest information regarding upcoming conferences, online resources, texts, and professional journals. See particularly the online journal, Reading Online. This site provides information on literacy activities around the world.

Media Literacy Online
http://interact.uoregon.edu/MediaLit/HomePage
Sponsored by the College of Education at the University of Oregon, Eugene, this site offers information to teachers and parents regarding Media Literacy, including links to numerous worldwide Media Literacy sites. The web sites for children and youth are especially interesting.

National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE)
http://www.ncte.org
Along with the International Reading Association, this site represents one of the largest literacy organizations in the country. The focus is on teaching, learning, and research in the English/language arts at all ages, and includes a focus on adult literacy.

The National Institute for Literacy (NIFL)
http://Novel.nifl.gov/nifl/about_nifl.html
NIFL was created by the National Literacy Act of 1991, when a bipartisan Congressional coalition acted on the literacy field's request for a federal office focused solely on literacy. At the site, you will find information on technology and literacy, and there is particular emphasis on education and services for adults with low literacy skills.

National Reading Conference (NRC)
http://nrc.oakland.edu
This is the site of the premier literacy research organization in the world. It offers the latest information on the annual NRC conference, journals, and current monographs on literacy research and instruction.

The Chronicle of Higher Education
http://chronicle.com/index.htm
This is one of the best resources for current educational information, particularly listings of positions available in institutions of higher education.